i was installing a custom intake in my car and when i took the stock intake pipe off the first butterfly valve was open in the throttle body, is that normal? the second moves with the throttle but what is the first?

 

The first is for traction control. If you have a car without the trac it will only have one butterfly.

 

i took my intake off and the first one was open as well---i wouldnt worry

 

Yeah, that's how it should be. It stays open until TRAC kicks in, and then it closes to reduce power until the wheels stop spinning.

 

on a side note the trac system is quite amazing in winter driving

i was very impressed

 

I was impressed with it too this winter. It's not too intrusive. When it detects spin it closes that first butterfly down until spin stops and then will apply rear brake only as a last resort. Nicest trac system I've used, most cars cut cylinders and apply brakes and sound and feel like the car's dying.